Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant) April 27, 1822 Point Pleasant, Ohio –July 23, 1885 Mount McGregor, New York Political Party: Republican Terms in Office: March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1877 (Two Terms) Vice Presidents: Schuyler Colfax (1869-1873) and Henry Wilson (1873-1875)
Thematic Context During this time period, the Western European immigrants grew in numbers. By the 1870s, German-born farmers made up one third of the agricultural industry in America. But now there seemed to be a small shift and immigrants from Eastern Europe and Asia started flooding in. These “new” immigrants brought much heated debate because although they acted no different from the pre-1870s immigrants, they had eclectic looks and traditions than what the Americans were used to, so they were treated hostile. Americans becoming anti-immigrant, fearing the customs, religion, and poverty of the new immigrants, considering them less desirable than old immigrants. However, the Naturalization Act of 1870 allowed African immigrants to become American citizens.
Thesis Ulysses S. Grant had an equal number of positives to counterbalance his negatives. Being a man from war, he was very spirited and took unconventional, radical methods for his Reconstruction Plans. He was also oblivious towards the scandals that were occurring in the White House, and left his mark as the “Panic” president. However, he was in office when the Washington Treaty was signed and the ratification of the 15th Amendment. Also, he stood up for blacks and witnessed the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. For a mediocre president, he deserves a grade that is as equivalent of his actions, which is a C.
Goals Grant had many goals during his presidency and to an extent completed them before he left office. Some of these goals included bringing the country back together, enforce laws more productively, not to be prejudice, and create social equality for blacks.
Relation with Congress Grant’s relationship with Congress was one-sided, meaning that Congress abused and controlled Grant like a puppet, much to Grant’s hatred.
Positive Event Grant oversaw the passing of the Force Acts which prosecuted KKK members, thereby helping blacks when they were being suppressed by the KKK and establishing a precedent that black men have the right to vote. From this, the 15th Amendment of the Constitution established, giving every male citizen in the United States the rights to vote.
Negative Event Grant witnessed many scandals and crimes during his presidency, some of which he overlooked. The one scandal involved his brother-in-law with Speculators Jay Gould and James Fisk who tried to corner the gold market. Also, he was pardoning criminals without hesitation.
Influence Grant can be considered the first president since Lincoln to take effort in the black movement. This can be observed through the 15th Amendment and his attempt to abolish the KKK.
Conclusion Although Grant had his red letter days, the number of times he misused his presidency surely equals, if not outweighs, the positive events. To find an equilibrium, he deserves the grade of C because the nation could have have a better president, but what Grant did while in office did have some effect on the nation.
April 27, 1822 Point Pleasant, Ohio –July 23, 1885 Mount McGregor, New York
Political Party: Republican
Terms in Office: March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1877 (Two Terms)
Vice Presidents: Schuyler Colfax (1869-1873) and Henry Wilson (1873-1875)
Thematic Context
During this time period, the Western European immigrants grew in numbers. By the 1870s, German-born farmers made up one third of the agricultural industry in America. But now there seemed to be a small shift and immigrants from Eastern Europe and Asia started flooding in. These “new” immigrants brought much heated debate because although they acted no different from the pre-1870s immigrants, they had eclectic looks and traditions than what the Americans were used to, so they were treated hostile. Americans becoming anti-immigrant, fearing the customs, religion, and poverty of the new immigrants, considering them less desirable than old immigrants. However, the Naturalization Act of 1870 allowed African immigrants to become American citizens.
Thesis
Ulysses S. Grant had an equal number of positives to counterbalance his negatives. Being a man from war, he was very spirited and took unconventional, radical methods for his Reconstruction Plans. He was also oblivious towards the scandals that were occurring in the White House, and left his mark as the “Panic” president. However, he was in office when the Washington Treaty was signed and the ratification of the 15th Amendment. Also, he stood up for blacks and witnessed the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. For a mediocre president, he deserves a grade that is as equivalent of his actions, which is a C.
Goals
Grant had many goals during his presidency and to an extent completed them before he left office. Some of these goals included bringing the country back together, enforce laws more productively, not to be prejudice, and create social equality for blacks.
Relation with Congress
Grant’s relationship with Congress was one-sided, meaning that Congress abused and controlled Grant like a puppet, much to Grant’s hatred.
Positive Event
Grant oversaw the passing of the Force Acts which prosecuted KKK members, thereby helping blacks when they were being suppressed by the KKK and establishing a precedent that black men have the right to vote. From this, the 15th Amendment of the Constitution established, giving every male citizen in the United States the rights to vote.
Negative Event
Grant witnessed many scandals and crimes during his presidency, some of which he overlooked. The one scandal involved his brother-in-law with Speculators Jay Gould and James Fisk who tried to corner the gold market. Also, he was pardoning criminals without hesitation.
Influence
Grant can be considered the first president since Lincoln to take effort in the black movement. This can be observed through the 15th Amendment and his attempt to abolish the KKK.
Conclusion
Although Grant had his red letter days, the number of times he misused his presidency surely equals, if not outweighs, the positive events. To find an equilibrium, he deserves the grade of C because the nation could have have a better president, but what Grant did while in office did have some effect on the nation.
Bibliography
http://askville.amazon.com/immigration-patterns-1800's/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=7856221
http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/German.html
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/158524.html?type=print
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25820
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25821
http://www.credoreference.com/topic/grant_ulysses_1822_1885
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/ulyssessgrant